Print

Easy Make-Ahead Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel

make-ahead sweet potato casserole with pecan streusel - featured image
Print Recipe

This make-ahead sweet potato casserole features a creamy, spiced sweet potato base topped with a crunchy, buttery pecan streusel. Perfect for holidays, it can be assembled up to two days in advance and baked just before serving.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 pounds sweet potatoes (about 4–5 medium)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/3 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Roast the sweet potatoes: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Scrub sweet potatoes, pierce with a fork, and roast on a foil-lined baking sheet for 45-60 minutes until tender. Let cool, then peel.
  2. Make the sweet potato base: Lower oven to 350°F (175°C). Mash peeled sweet potatoes in a large bowl. Add melted butter, eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir until well combined.
  3. Make the pecan streusel: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in cold cubed butter using a pastry cutter or fingertips until mixture resembles coarse meal with pea-sized butter pieces. Stir in chopped pecans.
  4. Assemble the casserole: Spread sweet potato mixture evenly into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle streusel topping evenly over the top without pressing down.
  5. Bake immediately or refrigerate: If baking right away, bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-35 minutes until streusel is golden and filling bubbles. If making ahead, cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
  6. Bake from refrigerated state: Remove from fridge while oven preheats. Bake uncovered at 350°F (175°C) for 40-45 minutes until streusel is deep golden and filling is hot. Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
  7. Rest before serving: Let casserole sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving to allow filling to set.

Notes

For best results, roast sweet potatoes instead of boiling to concentrate natural sugars and avoid watery filling. Keep streusel butter cold for clumpy texture. Double the streusel if you love extra topping. Room temperature eggs prevent graininess. If streusel browns too quickly, tent with foil.

Nutrition

Keywords: sweet potato casserole, pecan streusel, make-ahead, Thanksgiving side dish, holiday recipe

Find it online: https://lenatable.com/easy-make-ahead-sweet-potato-casserole-with-pecan-streusel/